With the city elections heading into the final six weeks, the campaigns reported this week that donations have topped the $18 million mark and early spending has exceeded $10 million -- with more to come.

As the March 5 election nears, the candidates are expected to step up their spending for television and mail ads to try to drive up voter interest and win support as they seek either to win outright, with a majority of the vote, or secure a spot in the May 21 runoff.

The biggest race is for mayor, where a total $11.2 million has been raised and more than $5.7 million spent so far.

Councilman Eric Garcetti remained, narrowly, the leading fundraiser with $3.69 million, slightly ahead of Controller Wendy Greuel, who is at $3.60 million.

In this period between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, Garcetti reported raising $84,188 and he has a cash balance of $3.5 million. Greuel reported raising more than $130,000 during that period and now has $2.9 million in cash.

Councilwoman Jan Perry, who has raised more than $1.5 million in all, collected $16,044 during this last period and has a cash balance of $1.2 million. Attorney Kevin James has raised more than $322,000 for the race, including $14,826 in the last reporting period. He reported a cash balance of nearly $49,000. Businessman Emanuel Pleitez has raised nearly $222,000 for the election including $8,600 in the most recent period and has a cash balance of $320,000.

In the race for city

attorney, former Assemblyman Mike Feuer continues to lead in the money race, having raised more than $915,000, including $16,934 in the most recent period and has a cash balance of $817,000. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has raised $392,000, with $9,150 in the most recent period. He has a cash balance of $246,000.

Attorney Greg Smith reported raising $50 during this past period. He has $718,000 in contributions, which includes $600,000 in personal loans. He has $375,000 in cash.

In the race for controller, Councilman Dennis Zine has raised nearly $732,000, including $3,925 in the most recent period, with a cash balance of $735,000.

Attorney Ron Galperin reported a campaign total of $313,000 and has a cash balance of $156,000. He has used $106,000 in personal funds for the race.

In area City Council races, Councilman Paul Koretz of the 5th District has raised more than $144,000, including $18,750 in the most recent period. He has a cash balance of $95,000. None of his opponents reported any new contributions and have not raised more than $1,000.

In the 3rd Council District, Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield has raised $110,000 for the race, including an additional $10,100 in the recent reporting period. He has a cash balance of $96,000. Steve Presberg was the only other candidate to report any fundraising activity, with an additional $50 as part of his $8,200 that he has raised. He has a balance of $665.

In the 7th Council District, former Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes has raised more than $196,000 for the race, including an additional $4,700 in the latest period. He has $123,000 in cash on hand. Nicole Chase reported raising another $1,100 to her total of more than $8,200. She has a cash balance of $7,200.

In races for the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, incumbents easily outpace challengers.

School Board President Monica Garcia, in Board Seat 2, has raised more than $261,000, including $14,095 in the most recent period and has a cash balance of $105,000.

Two of her opponents reported some fundraising. Robert Skeels reported raising an additional $170 to his total of $14,000, leaving him with a cash balance of more than $2,300. Annamarie Montanez added $2,075 to her total of $8,800, leaving a cash balance of $2,300.

In District 4, incumbent Steve Zimmer has raised nearly $31,000 for the campaign and recently added $3,185. He has a cash balance of $14,000. None of his opponents reported any new fundraising.

In the open District 6 seat, Iris Zuniga -- who dropped out of the race this week -- reported adding $875 to her total $19,500 raised. Antonio Sanchez has raised more than $18,000 for the race and added $2,075 in the latest period. He has $16,000 in cash on hand.

Monica Ratliff has raised $9,500 for the election and added $2,600. She has a cash balance of $6,900. Marilyn Grunwald has raised $2,800 and has a cash balance of $99.

<strong>Party:</strong> Democratic
<strong>Platform:</strong> "Bringing practical solutions to the economic challenges that are holding our city back -- solutions like the structural pension reforms I've spearheaded to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers now and in the future; responsible budgeting that protects core city services; and key investments to make our neighborhoods stronger, safer, and attractive to jobs and businesses." -- <a href="http://ericgarcetti.com/" target="_hplink">campaign website</a><strong>Current Gig: </strong>Councilmember representing the 13th Council District (Atwater Village, Echo Park, Hollywood and Silver Lake)
<strong>Donation Amount As Of First 2012 Filing:</strong> More than $1 million
<strong>Quotable Quote:</strong> "I've seen shuttered storefronts transformed into thriving main streets, and I've seen dangerous streets reborn as some of the city's safest neighborhoods. We've nearly tripled the number of parks, given every student in my district access to an after school program, and deployed the city's first constituent services 'smart phone' application so you can report graffiti or a pothole from the palm of your hand." -- <a href="http://ericgarcetti.com/" target="_hplink">campaign website</a><strong>More Info</strong>: <a href="http://ericgarcetti.com/" target="_hplink">ericgarcetti.com</a>